Canadian Forces to Participate in a Joint Task Group Exercise With US Navy Off the Atlantic Coast

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 19, 2012) - Four of Her Majesty's Canadian Ships from the Atlantic Fleet will be participating in a joint international exercise with the United States Navy from November 19 to December 14, off the East Coasts of Canada and United States called Task Group Exercise 6-12.

"Our Government ensures the Royal Canadian Navy routinely conducts training exercises with our Allies so that we maintain interoperability and execute mission success," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. "Training exercises prepare our sailors to defend Canada's maritime approaches, maintain their ability to project Canadian sea power and, ultimately, make Canadians safer."

"Task Group Exercises strengthen Canada's ability to work in a multi-national and joint environment on a wide range of potential operations and missions," said Commodore Darren Hawco, Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic. "Participating ships also use them to exercise capabilities necessary to respond to a variety of threats, including defending themselves against small land-based threats or small boats. Her Majesty's Canadian Ships will be using this exercise as an opportunity to conduct training of her ship's company in preparation for future deployments."

The Royal Canadian Navy will work with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to combine the Task Group Exercise with the NORAD Air Defence Exercise Amalgam Dart to further enhance interoperability and effectiveness between the Royal Canadian Navy and NORAD. The high tempo training will provide valuable experience to our sailors in a wide range of at-sea evolutions, to include navigation and seamanship, helicopter operations, and warfare exercises. Furthermore, Amalgam Dart will provide an excellent opportunity to train in ship-to-air and air-to-air defence.

Units participating in Task Group Exercise 6-12 and Amalgam Dart are Her Majesty's Canadian Ships Iroquois, Preserver, Ville de Québec and St. John's. The ships will be joined by Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft and personnel from 12 Wing Shearwater, 14 Wing Greenwood, 17 Wing Winnipeg, 3 Wing Bagotville, and 22 Wing North Bay to include CH-124 Sea King helicopters, CF-18 fighters and a CP-140 Aurora long-range patrol aircraft.

Note to Editors / News Directors:

Media inquiries about Task Group Exercise 6-12 shall be directed to Maritime Forces Atlantic Public Affairs at (902) 427-3766 or via email to +marlantpublicaffairs@forces.gc.ca.

Media inquiries about Amalgam Dart shall be directed to Captain Jill Strelieff, 1 Canadian Air Division Public Affairs, at 204-833-2500 ext. 6904 or Jill.Strelieff@forces.gc.ca.